GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

In a tragic revelation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recently acknowledged the deaths of two Indian nationals recruited by the Russian Army amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. These incidents highlight a growing trend where Indians, lured by promises of lucrative salaries and Russian citizenship, have become ensnared in labor trafficking rackets.

Who are Mercenaries?

• Mercenaries are individuals who are recruited to participate in armed conflicts by a party to the conflict that is not their own state.
• They are motivated primarily by personal gain or financial reward rather than by ideological, national, or other similar considerations.
• Under international humanitarian law (IHL), specifically Article 47 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, mercenaries are defined by several criteria:
  • They are specially recruited locally or abroad.
  • They directly participate in hostilities.
  • Their motivation for participating in hostilities is primarily personal gain.
  • They are promised or paid material compensation substantially exceeding that given to combatants of similar ranks and functions.
  • They are neither nationals nor residents of a party to the conflict.
  • They are not members of the armed forces of a party to the conflict.
• Mercenaries, if captured, do not qualify for prisoner-of-war status and may face prosecution for acts committed during the conflict.

Why the trend is on rise?

• The landscape of mercenary activities has evolved with the rise of Private Military Companies (PMSCs), which perform roles ranging from combat operations to logistical support.
• Unlike mercenaries, PMSCs operate under loosely defined legal frameworks, often relying on domestic laws rather than international conventions.
• This flexibility poses challenges in holding PMSCs accountable for their actions, as exemplified by the controversial operations of entities like the Wagner Group, reportedly staffed with Russian army veterans and implicated in international conflicts.

Current Regulatory Challenges

• There is absence of a comprehensive definition of mercenaries across national laws.
• Many states do not explicitly criminalize mercenary activities, complicating efforts to prosecute or deter such practices.
• Signatories to the Montreux Document commit to oversight of PMSCs to ensure compliance with humanitarian and human rights laws, although neither India nor Russia are signatories.

Recent findings from the National Sample Survey Organisation’s Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) for 2021-22 and 2022-23 have shed light on India's informal sector, crucial for policy formulation and economic planning.

Key Findings from ASUSE:

• Employment Trends: The informal sector in India, represented by unincorporated enterprises, employed 109.6 million workers as of October 2022-September 2023. This figure, although an increase from pandemic lows, remains below pre-pandemic levels.
• Enterprise Statistics: The number of unincorporated enterprises grew to 65.04 million by October 2022-September 2023, up from approximately 63 million in the previous period (July 2015-June 2016).

• Economic shocks such as demonetisation, GST implementation, and COVID-19 have hindered sector growth and employment recovery.

• Economic Inequality: Despite employing two-thirds of the workforce, this sector contributes only one-fourth of India’s GVA.
• Economic Resilience and Growth: Despite challenges, the gross value added (GVA) by these enterprises increased to Rs 15.42 trillion during October 2022-September 2023, up from Rs 13.4 trillion in April 2021-March 2022.

Challenges:

• Data Deficiency: The absence of updated data for over a decade has impacted economic planning and policy effectiveness.
• Inequality and Low Incomes: Highlighted issues beyond agriculture and construction sectors, which are known for providing low-income jobs.
• Policy Implications: Calls for transparent data release and inclusive consultations to restore credibility to India’s statistical system.

A recent tragic incident in West Bengal highlighted the urgency of enhancing railway safety in India. A collision between a goods train and the Kanchanjunga Express resulted in 15 deaths and over 60 injuries, prompting renewed focus on safety measures like the Kavach anti-collision system.

Increasing Accidents:

• India's vast railway network, spanning over 100,000 km, faces significant challenges despite efforts to expand and upgrade.
• Challenges for India:
  • The railway system, vital for transporting 25 million daily passengers, operates on mixed tracks where passenger and goods trains share space.
  • Over-utilization leads to reduced maintenance windows, increasing risks like signal malfunctions and accidents.

Reasons Behind Rail Accidents in India

• Derailments: Occur when train carriages derail due to track defects, mechanical failures, or human error.
• Collisions: Involve two or more trains colliding due to signalling errors, miscommunication, or operational failures.
• Explosions/Fires: Result from incidents such as electrical faults, arson, or gas leaks on trains or at railway stations.
• People Falling from Trains/Colliding with People on Tracks: Include accidents where individuals fall from moving trains or are hit while crossing or walking along railway tracks.
• Other Causes: Encompass accidents not falling into the above categories, often due to unforeseen events like bridge collapses, landslides, or natural disasters. This category also includes accidents with unknown causes.

Top Technologies Ensuring Safety of Indian Railways

• LHB Coaches: Introduced in 1999, LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coaches replace older ICF coaches. They feature anti-telescopic designs that prevent secondary accidents in case of a collision. LHB coaches are safer and can operate at speeds exceeding 160 kmph.
• Block Proving Axle Counter (BPAC): BPAC is a train detection system that ensures only one train occupies a track section at a time. It uses sensors at axles to accurately detect train presence and direction, crucial for safe railway signaling.
• Auxiliary Warning System (AWS): AWS, or Automatic Train Protection, monitors train speeds according to signal indications. It restricts speeds to ensure safety: 15 kmph for red signals, 38 kmph for yellow, and up to 70 kmph for green or double yellow signals.
• Self-Propelled Ultrasonic Rail Testing (SPURT): SPURT cars use ultrasonic technology to detect internal rail flaws, conducting real-time testing twice yearly on busy routes like New Delhi – Howrah and New Delhi – Mumbai Central. This technology enhances track maintenance efficiency, covering up to 80-120 km of track per day.

What is Kavach Anti-Collision System?

• Developed by: Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO)
• The Kavach automatic train protection (ATP) system is India's indigenous automatic train protection system.
• It is a technology with Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL-4) certification. 
• It aims to prevent collisions through features such as automatic brake application during emergencies, real-time communication, and warning systems for foggy conditions.
• Key Features of Kavach:
  • Uses RFID and radio frequency technologies along tracks and in locomotives.
  • Alerts operators to Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) situations and potential collisions.
  • Enhances safety with direct locomotive-to-locomotive communication and automated responses to critical situations.
• Implementation Status: As of early 2024, Kavach covers 1,465 route kilometres and 139 locomotives, mainly in the South Central Railway network. Plans include expanding coverage on major corridors like Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Howrah, spanning approximately 3,000 route kilometres.
• Other Safety Initiatives:
  • India's rail modernization efforts also focus on upgrading signaling systems and enhancing safety measures nationwide.
  • Significant investments are directed towards improving infrastructure and operational efficiency to mitigate accidents and ensure passenger safety.

Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan led the second session of the India-US initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

What is iCET?

• The Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) was launched during the Quad summit in Tokyo in 2022, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden.
• It aims to deepen strategic cooperation between India and the United States in several key sectors:
• Focus Areas:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Quantum Computing
• Semiconductors
• Advanced Telecommunications
• Biotechnology
• Clean Energy
• Quantum Technology

Key Points of the Framework:

• Supply Chains and Co-production: iCET seeks to build resilient supply chains and support co-production and co-development of technologies.
• Research Agency Partnership: Plans include establishing a joint research agency to drive collaboration, particularly in AI.
• Defence Technological Cooperation: A new roadmap will be developed to accelerate joint development and production in defence technology.
• Other Initiatives: This includes developing common standards for AI, connecting defence startups through an 'innovation bridge', supporting semiconductor ecosystem development, advancing cooperation in 5G and 6G technologies, and adopting OpenRAN network technology in India.

A recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has highlighted the status of global nuclear arsenals in 2024. The report sheds light on the nuclear capabilities of various nations, including India, Pakistan, and China.

Key Findings of SIPRI Yearbook 2024

• Nuclear Arsenals: Russia and the US possess the majority of the world's nuclear weapons, accounting for 90% of the total.
  • China's nuclear arsenal has seen a significant increase, growing from 410 warheads in January 2023 to 500 in January 2024.
  • India possesses 172 "stored" nuclear warheads as of January 2024, slightly more than Pakistan.
• Modernization: Nine nuclear-armed nations, including India, Pakistan, and China, are actively modernizing their nuclear arsenals. This includes developing new nuclear delivery systems.
• Operational Alert: Around 2,100 nuclear warheads, primarily from the US and Russia, are kept in a state of high operational alert on ballistic missiles. China also reportedly placed some warheads on high alert for the first time.
• World’s nuclear-armed states: United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) and Israel.

India's Nuclear Development:

• India adheres to a no-first-use (NFU) policy but retains the option of retaliating to non-nuclear threats.
• Missile Capabilities: As of January 2024, India had approximately 80 operational missiles. New developments include:
  • Agni-P: Medium-range ballistic missile.
  • Agni-V: Intermediate-range ballistic missile, nearing deployment.
  • Agni-VI: Under design, with intercontinental range.
  • Shaurya: Land-based version of the K-15 submarine-launched ballistic missile in development.
• Naval Component: India is building a nuclear triad with ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs):
  • INS Arihant: First deployed in 2018 for deterrence patrols.
  • INS Arighat: Launched in 2017, deployment expected in 2024.
  • Plans for additional Arihant-class submarines.

Health officials in Japan are alarmed by a surge in cases of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS), also known as 'flesh-eating bacteria'.

About Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS):

• STSS is a severe bacterial infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. These bacteria release toxins that enter deep tissues and the bloodstream, triggering a rapid and dangerous response in the body.
• Symptoms: STSS begins with symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, and vomiting.
  • Within 24 to 48 hours, it can progress to low blood pressure, organ failure, rapid heart rate, and fast breathing.
• Risk Factors and Severity: Group A Streptococcus usually causes strep throat in children but can lead to serious symptoms in adults, including limb pain, swelling, and low blood pressure.
  • This can escalate quickly to tissue death, breathing difficulties, and organ failure, especially in individuals over 50.
• Prevention: Preventing STSS involves practicing good hygiene, such as regular handwashing and covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing. Proper wound care and prompt medical attention for infections can prevent complications that may lead to STSS.
• Diagnosis: Blood tests to detect group A strep bacteria and assess organ function.
  • STSS is confirmed when a person has a group A strep infection alongside low blood pressure and signs of two or more organ failures.
• Treatment: Administering strong antibiotics intravenously to eliminate the bacteria. Patients also receive fluids to stabilize blood pressure and support organ function.

The ageing phenomenon in India has witnessed remarkable improvements in human longevity, accompanied by declining birth rates. However, this demographic shift brings forth challenges related to vulnerabilities faced by the elderly population. Beyond mere age, these vulnerabilities encompass various aspects of daily life and well-being.

Vulnerabilities of the Elderly:

• Introduction to the Issue: The elderly in India face multiple vulnerabilities, including restrictions in daily activities, multi-morbidity, poverty, and lack of income. According to the Longitudinal Ageing Survey of India (LASI, 2017-18), about 20% of the elderly population experience these vulnerabilities.
• Impact of Longevity and Familial Transition: The rising elderly population should be viewed alongside familial transitions. Households with elderly members are increasingly characterized by dependence, care needs, and the necessity for social security and financial protection.
• Diverse Challenges: The future elderly may face better educational and economic conditions but will encounter adversities in health and quality of living due to chronic ailments. The notion of healthy ageing should thus focus on preparing the prospective elderly population.

Global Elderly Population Trends and Policy Implications:

• Rising Numbers: By mid-century, India’s elderly population is projected to reach 319 million, growing by 3% annually. A significant proportion will be women, with 54% being widows.
• Health Concerns: 75% of the elderly suffer from chronic diseases, with diabetes and cancer being prevalent. Mental health issues, such as depression, affect 20% of those above 45.
• Food Insecurity: Approximately 6% of individuals above 45 face food insecurity, affecting nutrition and health outcomes.

Challenges of Implementation and Ensuring Inclusivity:

• Awareness and Utilization of Welfare Measures: Despite existing welfare provisions, awareness is low, with only 12% knowing about the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
• Social and Familial Abuse: About 5% of the elderly report abuse, especially in rural areas where women are the most neglected.
• Creating Social Agency: There is an urgent need to establish innovative institutions to transform the elderly from perceived liabilities to assets, ensuring an active life course for the future elderly.

UPSC Mains Questions

Q. Examine the impact of familial transition on the living conditions of the elderly in India. How can policies be tailored to better address the needs of households with elderly members?

The 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM-46) in Kochi highlighted the complexities of regulating tourism in Antarctica, an area governed by international consensus and facing rapid environmental changes.

Controversy Surrounding Antarctic Tourism:

• Introduction to the Issue: Antarctic tourism has surged since the 1990s, with tourist numbers exceeding 1,00,000 in the 2022-23 season. The growth, driven by interest in adventure travel, poses significant environmental threats.
• Environmental Concerns: Increased human presence disrupts wildlife, damages ecosystems, and risks introducing invasive species. Tourism also contributes to pollution and carbon footprints, exacerbating climate change impacts on vulnerable ecosystems.
• Balance Between Benefits and Risks: While tourism offers educational and economic benefits, it also pressures the balance between scientific research, responsible tourism, and environmental protection.

Global Governance and Policy Implications:

• Gaps in Regulatory Framework: The Antarctic Treaty (1961) and the Madrid Protocol provide broad guidelines but lack specific tourism regulations. The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) currently self-regulates, which many view as insufficient.
• Challenges of International Consensus: ATCM requires unanimous agreement for decisions, often hampering effective regulation. National interests and differing interpretations of Antarctic principles further complicate governance.
• Recent Developments: ATCM-46 made progress by establishing a working group to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework. However, significant challenges remain in achieving consensus and implementing effective measures.

Challenges of Implementation and Ensuring Inclusivity:

• Historical Challenges: Efforts to regulate tourism have been debated since the 1960s. A proposed tourism annex in 1991 failed, leading to reliance on IAATO. Fragmented approaches have resulted in non-binding guidelines rather than comprehensive regulation.
• Consensus Rule Limitations: Unanimous approval is required, leading to “decision making by non-decision making” where unregulated activities continue. Proposals such as banning permanent tourism facilities have failed due to lack of consensus.
• India's Role: India emphasized the need to address tourism impacts on research and conservation. Despite international challenges, India enacted its own Antarctic Law in 2022, advocating for robust environmental protection and monitoring.

UPSC Mains Questions

Q. Discuss the challenges and implications of regulating Antarctic tourism under the current international governance framework. Suggest measures to enhance environmental protection while accommodating responsible tourism.

After a challenging 2023-24, India's merchandise exports have started to recover. Recent months show a positive trend in export growth, despite global economic uncertainties.

Current Trends and Positive Developments:

• Recovery in Exports: India's merchandise exports declined by 3.1% in 2023-24, but there has been a notable turnaround with exports rising 1.1% in April and 9.1% in May 2024. The January to March quarter saw exports grow by 4.9%, reaching a seven-quarter high of over $120 billion.
• Sectoral Performance: 20 out of India's top 30 export items outperformed their previous year's figures in May 2024. Key sectors like apparel, man-made yarn, and engineering goods, which are employment-intensive, showed significant recovery.
• Global Economic Factors: The European Central Bank's interest rate cuts have raised hopes among exporters for similar moves by other major economies, potentially boosting demand for Indian exports.

Challenges and Concerns:

• Commodity Prices: Rising prices of industrial commodities such as metals and food items could temper the optimism. The U.S. Federal Reserve has indicated only one rate cut this year, suggesting continued caution.
• Sectoral Declines: Despite the overall positive trend, certain sectors like spices and marine products saw sharp declines, with spices dropping by 20.3% and marine products falling again. Negative reports on quality and workplace standards in key markets are likely contributors.
• Trade Deficit: May's import bill reached a seven-month high of $61.9 billion, leading to a trade deficit of $23.8 billion. A significant portion of this deficit is attributed to a record $13.2 billion deficit in petroleum products, influenced by high oil prices.

Policy Implications and Recommendations:

• Managing Trade Deficit: Officials suggest that rising services exports and foreign exchange inflows from global investments could help offset the trade deficit. However, challenges remain with declining foreign direct investment inflows and sluggish private investments.
• Revitalizing Export Schemes: The government needs to enhance its efforts to support goods exports, including increased budgetary allocations for export promotion schemes. Relying on intangible factors like investment inflows and import substitution may not be sufficient.

UPSC Mains Questions

Q. Analyze the impact of global economic factors, such as interest rate changes by major economies, on India's trade performance.